COW NUMBERS in the US are at their lowest for 63 years, contributing to a boom in beef export volumes and prices, says Beef + Lamb NZ chief economist Andrew Burrt.

Alliance director Dawn Sangster in June and July spent five weeks visiting key markets and customers for NZ meat:  USA, UK, China, Europe, Singapore and Indonesia. She’s now relaying her findings at meetings across New Zealand. Andrew Swallow reports.

FEEDING American dried distillers grains is unlikely to cause problems with China, say agribusiness specialists.

THE KIWIFRUIT Claim was due to be lodged with the High Court in Wellington late last week (Oct 17).

NZ KIWIFRUIT Growers Inc fears The Kiwifruit Claim could be damaging to the industry's relationship with government.

THE NORTH Island sale saw wool prices continue their upward trend, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

ALL THE SIGNS suggest a prolonged period of low international dairy prices will be required to soak up the current global market surplus, says Rabobank in its latest Dairy Quarterly report.

WESTLAND HAD a record revenue for the 2013-14 of $830 million, up 46% on the previous year, but admits its payout was not as industry competitive as previous years.

SYNLAIT MILK is now a registered manufacturer of retail-ready infant formula for export to China, following approval from the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA).

TATUA MEMBERS of Federated Farmers are welcoming an all time record payout by a New Zealand milk processor at $9 per kilogram of milk solids (kg/MS) for the 2013/14 season.